With MOT test centres across Northern Ireland continuing to face backlogs of up to five months long, many drivers will be concerned about both their MOTs and tax expiring, and where this may leave them both in terms of safety and the eyes of the law.
MOT test centres in Northern Ireland are currently working through massive backlogs, caused as a result of failing equipment and Covid pandemic shutdowns.
The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) has said it is still experiencing "significant demand" for vehicle testing services as MOT centres across Northern Ireland continue to tackle the backlog in appointments.
Read more: Latest update as MLA brands waiting situation 'a complete shambles'
MOT tests have been suspended several times over the past two years, leaving many drivers facing long waits for appointments. In some cases, drivers have been unable to get their vehicles tested before their current MOT certificate expires.
Cars are due their first MOT after four years. MOT tests for cars and light vehicles were first suspended in January 2020 after concerns over cracks in lift equipment.
The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic two months later again put the brakes on tests.
MOT vehicle tests resumed three months later but with social distancing restrictions, which were only eased last July.
Experts from Scrap Car Comparison have put together their top tips for drivers that are currently facing this predicament, to help them stay on the roads safely:
Book the first available appointment
As drivers in Northern Ireland are required to have an MOT in order to tax their vehicles, the current advice from the DVA is for drivers to book the earliest possible appointment for their MOT.
As many drivers do when booking a driving test, keep checking the booking system just in case an earlier appointment comes available due to cancellations.
Contact the DVA directly
For drivers who own a vehicle which has expired tax, or an MOT due within five days and don’t yet have a booking, contacting the DV Customer Service team is the best port of call.
Emailing dva.customerservices@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk will put you in touch with the team, who promise to organise emergency appointments - so far, it’s reported that every customer who has contacted them in this way has received an appointment before their MOT expiration date.
Check your insurance policy
Each insurance provider is dealing with the MOT delays differently, so it’s important to contact them and check your documentation so you know how it affects you.
As long as the car is roadworthy, the Association of British Insurers suggests that your policy should not be invalidated, so it’s important to ensure your car is well maintained if you can’t find an appointment before your MOT is due to expire.
Are you exempt?
Under current guidance, new cars are exempt from MOT testing for three years after their production, so don’t worry about booking an MOT before this point.
For cars that are a little older, it may be worth checking to see if your vehicle falls under an exemption - such as for cars built or registered over 40 years ago with no ‘substantial changes’ in the last 30 years, tractors, or electric goods vehicles registered pre-2015.
Don’t panic - everyone is in the same boat
As most drivers in Northern Ireland are likely to be affected by the delays, don’t panic if you’re nearing your MOT expiration date, as everyone is in the same boat.
According to the PSNI, if you’re stopped without a valid MOT, the police will check the roadworthiness of your vehicle, and no further action will be taken if it’s deemed to be safe.
The police can refer vehicles without tax to the DVLA, but if this is as a result of being unable to secure an MOT test appointment, allowances will be made.
Think about whether your vehicle is likely to pass the test
MOT tests confirm that your vehicle meets various environmental and road safety standards and can legally be on the road. Brake and suspension problems, as well as emissions issues, can all be problems that cause a car to fail its MOT and can be costly to correct.
Likewise, more minor issues such as tyre tread depth and pressures and visibility through the windscreen can also cause a test failure. If you think your car is at risk of failing due to one of these issues, refer to the owner's manual and MOT checks list to do a DIY safety check, or seek help from a professional ahead of your test date.
If you think any repair costs are likely to be more than the value of the vehicle, it could also be worth considering whether replacing or scrapping your vehicle is a better option.
Dan Gick, Managing Director of Scrap Car Comparison, said: “MOTs are an important part of the maintenance of our vehicles, and one that we should always ensure is up to date. However, with the increasing cost of driving , and delays such as those in Northern Ireland, in some cases they are becoming overdue for some vehicles.
“In the case of drivers in Northern Ireland, it’s important to stay calm and not panic about the situation if your MOT expiry data is creeping ever closer - the authorities all know that it’s currently difficult to get hold of appointments.
“However, in the meantime, it’s even more important to ensure that your vehicle is correctly maintained. It may be worth consulting your vehicle’s handbook and the MOT test requirements to do some DIY checks of your car, to ensure elements such as your tyre tread, tyre pressure, fluid levels and visibility are all up to scratch.
“If you have concerns about any of the elements involved in the MOT test, it is also advisable to get in touch with a professional to check over your vehicle and carry out any necessary repairs.”
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